Police in Beijing have confirmed that a man who died in custody had solicited prostitutes, according to their latest statement, issued at 1:44 am, May 11.

The 29-year-old Lei Yang, a master's graduate from the prestigious Renmin University of China, died on the night of May 7, after police raided a foot massage parlor suspected of engaging in prostitution in northern Beijing's suburban Changping District.

The police statement said that Lei tried to evade questioning as he walked out of the foot massage parlor. Evidence showed that Lei "engaged in soliciting prostitution and paid 200 yuan for the service," read the statement.

Lei's death received much public attention. Many people suspected that the police officers had abused their powers in detaining the man, leading to his death.

Lei's wife Wu Tingting, who labels herself as a "reasonable person," expressed doubts over the police allegation, saying that she wishes to know the truth. Her main concern is whether the law enforcement officers involved in her husband's death strictly followed protocols. To find out what really happened, she has agreed to have a post-mortem examination performed on her husband. It will be carried out by a third-party agency under the surveillance of a local prosecutor.

The local procuratorate's spokesperson announced that it has started investigating Lei's death with the assistance of forensic experts.

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